CHICAGO - The DePaul Captains' Council is organizing a food drive to kick off the basketball season and support the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. Fans attending athletics events this week are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items.

The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry is in need of the following items heading into the holiday season: canned fruit, soup (other than chicken noodle), canned tuna, canned salmon, dry milk and cereal.

Members of DePaul's athletics programs will be on hand at men's and women's basketball games on Nov. 17 and the weekend of Nov. 20-21 to collect food pantry donations.

DePaul fans can donate their non-perishable goods at Allstate Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 17 when the men's basketball team opens the 2009-10 season against the Columbia Lions. Two opportunities are available at women's basketball games with each night of the Maggie Dixon Classic at McGrath Arena on Nov. 20 and 21. DePaul hosts Cornell, San Diego and Tennessee State in the annual women's basketball tournament.

Fans making donations at the Maggie Dixon Classic can receive a discounted $5 ticket with a donation of a non-perishable food item.